USGBC S LEED Green Building Rating System Awards Innovation in Design Credit for Applying

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USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System Awards “Innovation in Design” Credit for Using SMART & California Gold Certifications

(Washington, DC – July 3, 2007) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that projects seeking certification under the LEED® Green Building Rating System™ can now earn an "Innovation in Design" credit by using products certified under the Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMART) and California Gold consensus standards. Innovation in Design points are awarded to LEED projects that develop new solutions, employ new technologies, educate, or realize exemplary performance in another area.

“This is another in a series of examples of how LEED Innovation in Design credits drive ideas and solutions into the marketplace,” said Tom Hicks, Vice President of LEED. “We have several more ID credits that are pending, and taken together they underscore the critical role real innovation has in our ability to deliver high performance buildings that have an immediate and measurable impact on slowing climate change and reducing our energy dependence on fossil fuels.”

SMART and California Gold are almost identical consensus standards developed respectively by the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS) and the State of California for all carpet purchasing. They both assess products on a number of criteria throughout the global supply chain, such as use of safe and healthy materials; material reuse, recycling, biobased organic products with EPA Best Management Practices; energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water reuse; wood chain of custody fighting illegal logging; and social equity.

USGBC is cataloging all Innovation in Design credits that have been awarded to LEED certified projects and will publish them online this summer at usgbc.org.

About USGBC
USGBC is a community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated. USGBC envisions an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous built environment that improves the quality of life. Founded in 1993, the Council now comprises more than 10,000 member organizations representing every sector of the building industry; a 100-person professional staff; and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. USGBC offers a broad portfolio of LEED® green building products and services; professional education programs; and the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.

What others are saying about SMART and California Gold ID credits

“Perkins+Will has made climate change reductions a firm-wide priority, and the ID credit for SMART and California Gold will help get us there faster,” said Phil Harrison, Perkins+Will CEO and Chairman.

“USGBC’s action is a critical achievement for global sustainability,” says Ken Baker, Gensler Managing Principal in its Washington, D.C., Office and Chairman of the SMART Textile Committee. “SMART has been a very high priority for the entire Gensler organization.”

“Providing leadership to the market on credible certified product labels the market can trust is one of USGBC’s most important roles,” according to Ginny Dyson, LEED AP, DMJM / Rottet, Vice Chair, SMART Textile Committee. “We’re excited that SMART and California Gold products will receive this ID designation.”